Simonetta Shuns Funds From Pacs In 15th Dist. Bid

Democratic congressional candidate Joseph R. Simonetta has announced he will "neither seek nor accept any funds whatsoever from any political action committee."

Simonetta, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. representative from the 15th District, said yesterday his decision is one ofmany that will exemplify his dedication toward "a restructuring of priorities and a restoration of values in our society."

Simonetta, 41, a Bethlehem native and self-published author, entrepreneur, businessman, professional athlete and former restaurateur, is making his first bid for political office by entering the 1986 race for nomination to the seat currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Don Ritter.

At a news conference in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Simonetta of Bethlehem, Simonetta said his decision to reject special interest money is based on observances that "politics as usual is not working," voters have lost faith in government and elected representatives, too many politicians lack courage to make decisions that are "in the national interest rather than for some special interest" and politicians are fearful of offending those who finance their "slick re-election campaigns."

"Nowhere is the extent of this influence more obvious than in the enormous growth of PAC money into campaigns," he said, pointing out that the average PAC - political action committee - contribution per candidate rose from $10,000 in 1974 to $89,000 in 1984.

Acknowledging a decided financial disadvantage in rejecting special interest contributions, and the incumbent's advantage of free mail- ing privileges and tax-subsidized offices and travel, Simonetta said, "It is time that someone says 'no' to what is going on."

His stand will give people "a representative who is not obligated to vote for every whim of every special interest group," he said.

Simonetta's original campaign master plan called for a budget of $466,000, of which he is convinced he could raise more than $200,000 from special interest groups.

However, in re-evaluating that master plan based on his decision, Simonetta said he can conduct a successful campaign for about $200,000 by applying business skills and being "very clever and very resourceful." He intends to use various means, including newspaper, radio and television advertising, to get his message to the public.

In taking his campaign "directly to the people," Simonetta plans to raise funds through individual solicitation, fund-raisers, direct mailings and going door-to-door.

In return for public support, Simonetta said he offers "a candidate who refuses to become associated with those who are primarily motivated by greed, self-centeredness and their own narrow and short-term interests.

"It is time that we in District 15 make a bold and a clear statement that we reject the influence of special interest money in politics and are ready to begin moving our society in a new direction, a direction characterized by a renewed spirit of concern, a sense of community and a desire for cooperation."

He stressed that the main focus of his campaign is on "the fair treatment of all people, not on special interest groups who, by expending millions of dollars, have been purchasing power and influence through intimidation and bribery."

Declining several times during the news conference to directly attack on four-term incumbent Ritter, Simonetta, who said he "doesn't want to get into Bernie Berg's way," stated that voters will have a clear choice in the election.

Bernard J. Berg of Easton has said he switched party registration to Republican for an opportunity to run against Ritter in the primary. Thus far, no others have declared their candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 15th Congressional District seat.

Simonetta, who worked on the 1978 campaign of Gov. Richard Lamm of Colorado and participated in the writing of the California Democratic Party platform on world peace in 1982, returned to Bethlehem earlier this year and began campaigning actively in June, meeting with local and national Democratic leaders. Now at a point of campaign transition, he said he will become more of a full-time candidate.